Pico iyer the art of stillness chapter 1 summary

It should be not only realized but also taught to the children of tomorrow as this will set them well on their way to personal freedom. Ultimately, Iyer shows that, in this age of constant movement and connectedness, perhaps staying in one place is a more exciting prospect, and a greater necessity than ever before. The future depends not only on the new intentions and conveniences, but on the essentials, of which possibility to have time to be quiet is one of the primary. The Art of Stillness paints a picture of why so manyfrom Marcel Proust to Mahatma Gandhi to Emily Dickinsonhave found richness in stillness. Although it is important to stay abreast with the news, and the author travelled to various places in the world, he realized the importance of getting away from usual settings to just think, read, understand, etc. For instance, a study of monks who had meditated for years revealed that these men experienced a level of happiness that was quite literally off the charts. He starts by explaining that if we can find space and time to be still with our thoughts, to be mindful, we will know happiness. He also moved to a more rural neighborhood. Pico Iyer speaks to this question in his book about stillness. Recognizing the need for quietness, the author paces his personal and work life and tries to stay away from going on Internet unnecessary. Studies show that those people who take time in quiet settings allow their brains to work more efficiently and with no stress. Therefore, to have some time for slowing down, some observe 'Internet Sabbath' every week, or create special opportunities for personal interactions, or 'forget' their cell phones, etc. Like many others, Iyer (The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere, 2014. Although the technology and information enabled us to have more ways to communicate, to live easier and faster, it also made our lives more superficial. Therefore, the urgency of slowing down, although it is not a new concept, becomes so evident that more and more people are turning to yoga and other practices such as meditation to bring depth to their life. The statistics show that the time people spend in front of the screen and texting has dramatically increased and keeps rising. The importance of uninterrupted working time is recognized even by companies such as Intel, which introduced obligatory 'quiet time' hours. These include Internet Rescue camps for children and Freedom software, etc. In an age of distraction, how can you find your stillness From travel writer Pico Iyer, The Art of Stillness considers the. As much as time-saving devices allow us to always stay connected, people are striving for freedom and are looking for a way to 'disconnect'. To have the luxury of staying in a hotel room with no TV, people are willing to pay enormous sums of money and the demand for those services is growing.

Pico iyer the art of stillness chapter 1 summary